BASEBALL

Baseball Splits Doubleheader With North Greenville

MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Pfeiffer baseball team split a doubleheader against conference foe North Greenville, losing the first game 5-4 and winning the second contest 6-5 on Saturday afternoon at Joe Ferebee Field. With the split the Falcons advance to 18-12, 8-4 CC while North Greenville moves to 5-22, 2-7 CC.

Following Pfeiffer’s 14 run game in yesterday’s performance, the Falcons were only able to muster four runs in game one of the doubleheader, despite drawing 10 walks.

Pfeiffer struck first in the bottom of the first inning as Jon Gray scored on a wild pitch after being hit by a pitch to lead off the frame. The Falcons put runners on the corners with two outs, but were unable to get the run in as Matt Wade was thrown out trying to steal second.

North Greenville was held scoreless until the top of the fourth when they rallied for five runs on two hits and one error.

The Falcons cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fourth when Gray singled through the left side, allowing Dylan Goodman to score from third.

The Falcons rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it a brand new ballgame. With two outs in the inning, Pfeiffer drew three straight walks to load the bases. Dalton Lindley waited patiently for his pitch as he roped a line drive through the left side of the infield bringing home Goodman and Matt Wade to cut the Crusader lead to one. However, the late rally fell short as Kevin Price struck out swinging to end the inning.

Pfeiffer attempted to rally in the final inning when Goodman led off with a single, however, the ensuing double play halted the attempt and secured the victory for North Greenville in game one.

Keith Little falls to 3-2 on the season as he pitched five innings giving up five runs, four earned, on five hits.

The Falcons were led offensively by Gray who went 1-for-2 with one RBI.

In game two, North Greenville ignited for yet another five run inning. This time it was in the very first inning as they scored five runs on four hits and two errors.

Pfeiffer did not hang their heads down, as they retaliated quickly in the bottom of the frame by scoring three runs on five hits.

It all started when Gray led off the inning with a single and a stolen base. Cole McGraw then muscled a double to the gap in left center to bring Gray across the plate. After a fly out advancing McGraw to third, Wade singled up the middle to bring the deficit to three runs. Goodman capped off the scoring spree for Pfeiffer as he singled to center field to bring Wade in to score. With bases loaded and only one out, the Falcons could not bring the runners in as the Crusader lead was cut to 5-3.

Pfeiffer tied the game in the bottom of the fourth as they scored two runs on one hit and one error. Price reached base safely on a throwing error by the pitcher, allowing Price to advance to second. Following two outs, Tyler Summers walked and Wade struck out swinging but reached base safely on the wild pitch, loading the bases for Tanner Mathis. Mathis singled to center field to bring in the game tying run in Summers, as the score was tied at five a piece.

After the four hit first inning, Tyler Lequire held the Crusaders to just one hit over the next six and one-third innings.

The Falcons scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning on three hits and one error. Price started the inning off with a single and then advance to third on a pick-off attempt that sailed wide by the first baseman. Gray was quick to capitalize on the throwing error, as he doubled to left center to bring in the go ahead run for Pfeiffer.

Dylan Norris was called upon to close the door on the Crusaders and he did so by going three up and three down to earn his ninth save on the season.

Hunter Jobe received the win as he pitched two-thirds inning, improving to 5-1 on the year.

Pfeiffer was led offensively by Mathis who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Gray ended up batting 3-for-7 on the day with two RBIs.

Pfeiffer returns to action Tuesday, March 25 when they travel to Laurinburg, N.C. to take on St. Andrews at 3:30 p.m.